A terrifying incident occurred at Antalya International Airport in Turkey on June 11, when a Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 collided with a radar mast while taxiing after landing. The right wing of the aircraft struck the mast, causing it to collapse and smash into the side of the plane, leaving a hole in the fuselage and deploying oxygen masks inside the cabin.
Details of the Incident
The accident involved Turkish Airlines flight TK2430, which had just arrived from Istanbul. After a normal landing, the Boeing 777 was taxiing towards its parking position when it hit the mast. The impact pierced the fuselage skin, dislodged an overhead storage bin, and forced oxygen masks to drop in several rows, causing panic among passengers.
Passenger and Crew Safety
All 267 passengers and crew on board were evacuated by emergency services with no life-threatening injuries. One passenger reportedly sustained minor injuries. Turkish Airlines confirmed that a technical investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched.
Official Statements
The Turkish Ministry of Transport stated: "The plane entered the taxiway from the wrong lane after landing on our airport's runway and collided with a ground radar mast on apron-1. After the passengers were evacuated and necessary checks were carried out, the aircraft was towed to the apron parking area."
Aircraft Damage
The damaged Boeing 777-300ER, registered TC-LKD, was towed to a parking position after initial safety checks. The 17-year-old aircraft, which had recently returned from a lease with IndiGo and was still operating in that carrier's livery, sustained significant damage to its right wing and fuselage that will require extensive repairs.
Investigation Ongoing
An investigation into the accident is ongoing. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the collision and prevent future incidents.
